Lions have seven named All-MIAA

May 09, 2013

Kansas City, Kan. -- The Missouri Southern baseball team had seven players named All-MIAA, the league announced today as the team gathered in Kansas City for the second round of the 2013 MIAA Baseball Tournament inside CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Leading the way for the Lions were a trio of players that were listed as second-team All-MIAA. Seniors Brett Abell, Sam Ryan and Michael McCoy were picked at their respective positions. Abell set the Missouri Southern single-season record this year for strikeouts as he sits with 98 on the season, tops in the MIAA. He is fourth all-time in career strikeouts with 182, just 24 from the school record.

Ryan ranks ninth in the MIAA in doubles with a team-high 15, while hitting .328 with four home runs and 32 RBIS, and leading the team in stolen bases with 12. McCoy ranks sixth in the MIAA in hits with 69, while leading the league in at bats with 205 and ranking second in total plate appearances with 224.

Pitchers Ryan Bates and Payton Walker, as well as outfielers Dallas Burke and Will Wagner were all named honorable mention. Bates led the Lions' pitchers with seven wins and was third in the MIAA in the category. Walker ranked third in the MIAA in ERA with a 2.89 mark and was second on the team with six wins and was one of the best freshman in the league. Burke led the Lions with a .345 batting average and ranked third in the league in walks. Wagner led the Lions in home runs with seven and RBIs with 37.

Missouri Western took three of the four yearly awards as Michael Schulze was Player of the Year, Brandon Simmons was the Pitcher of the Year and Buzz Verduzco was the Coach of the Year. Nebraska-Kearney was the league's Freshman of the Year.

The complete All-MIAA team is listed below.

Player of the Year: Michael Schulze, SS, Missouri WesternPitcher of the Year: Brandon Simmons, P, Missouri WesternFreshman of the Year: Anthony Pacheco, OF, Nebraska-KearneyCoach of the Year: Buzz Verduzco, Missouri Western